The University of Wisconsin Police Department (UWPD) is seeking the community’s help in solving the 1982 murder of UW-Madison student Donna Mraz.
UWPD seeks help solving 1982 murder of UW student Donna Mraz
WKOW - Channel 27
Category: Crime and safety
Crossing the line: UW-Madison investigating police officer who students say acted inappropriately
Wisconsin Watch
The officer’s behavior has persisted for at least four years, but was never the subject of a formal complaint, according to the UW-Madison Police Department. None of the students alleged the officer made any physical advances, and none agreed to go on a date with him.
Is abortion now permanently legal in Wisconsin? What the Supreme Court ruling means.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“We could see future cases that argue there is a constitutional right to abortion in Wisconsin and challenge other laws that we have in the state related to abortion,” said Bryna Godar, a staff attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School. “But those would be a bit more nuanced than challenging an outright ban.”
Dozens ejected during Morgan Wallen concerts at Camp Randall Stadium
Channel 3000
Dozens of people were ejected during the two Morgan Wallen concerts at Camp Randall Stadium over the weekend, a UW-Madison Police Department spokesperson said.
For one night, international soccer game in Madison helped fans forget immigration anxiety
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Diego Adame just finished his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’s from Monterey, so he and his dad were excited to attend the match, both wearing Tigres jerseys and calling out to players they knew.
Recently, the Trump administration tried to revoke the student visas of at least 27 Wisconsin students. Adame said his visa remained valid and he tries not to worry about what could happen.
“I just put the work in with studying and that’s about it,” Adame said. “Just stay focused on the grades.”
More than 20 ejected from each Morgan Wallen concert at Madison’s Camp Randall Stadium
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
More than 20 people were ejected from each of country music star Morgan Wallen’s concerts at Madison’s Camp Randall Stadium, on June 28 and 29, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison police.
23 people ejected from Camp Randall during Morgan Wallen show Saturday, police say
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison police had 24 contacts at Saturday night’s Morgan Wallen concert at Camp Randall Stadium, according to police.
Police investigate Pride flags torn down at Madison church
WMTV - Channel 15
A downtown Madison church reported having its Pride flags torn down sometime over the last few weeks, the Madison Police Department said Monday.
Madison police investigating after Pride flags torn down at UW campus-area church
Channel 3000
Madison police were investigating Monday after a church in the UW-Madison campus area reported that their Pride flags were torn down.
Has a Canadian journalist found bombing fugitive Leo Burt?
Madison Magazine
The bombing, an act of protest against U. S. involvement in the Vietnam War, killed a young researcher, Robert Fassnacht, and injured several others. Three of the four bombing suspects — Karl Armstrong, Dwight Armstrong, and David Fine — were captured and served prison sentences long ago.
Burt, however, has remained at large.
5 major red flags that you’re about to be the victim of a senior scam
HuffPost
There’s got to be a convincing reason you’re going to give money to a total stranger, so the “police” text or call you to say that your college kid is in jail, and if you want them out, pay up bail money (which happened earlier this year to parents of University of Wisconsin-Madison students). Or a fake lawyer will contact an immigrant and say they can help them become citizens for very real fees.
Authorities release little information about 3 hazmat investigations, 2 arrests
Wisconsin State Journal
For the second time in two days, authorities accompanied by hazardous materials teams swarmed a residential area in Madison Tuesday, this time just west of Camp Randall Stadium. A third hazmat investigation happened on Schroeder Road.
Minnesota shootings, Wisconsin hit list prompt increased security in state Capitol
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Reached on June 16, Kapenga told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he looked at a few security systems after the 2023 incident and put together a proposal to implement a weapons detection system used by the University of Wisconsin.
“There was not enough support in my caucus to get that put in place, unfortunately, but I hope this opens their eyes to the real, unfortunate threat that’s out there,” Kapenga said. “We live in a different world.”
Man sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting UW-Madison student
Spectrum News
Brandon A. Thompson, the man accused of physically and sexually assaulting a University of Wisconsin-Madison college student in Sept. 2023, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, according to court records.
Man gets 30 years in prison for brutal assault of UW-Madison student
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A Dane County judge sentenced a man who brutally attacked a University of Wisconsin-Madison student to 30 years in prison, calling him an “extreme risk” to the public.
Driver arrested for alleged OWI after hitting bicyclist near UW-Madison campus
WMTV - Channel 15
A person was arrested for allegedly driving a vehicle while drunk after hitting a bicyclist near the UW-Madison campus on Wednesday, the Madison Police Department reported on Thursday.
‘Good days are over’: Chinese students despair as US cracks down on visas
Reuters
“The iron fist has come down,” wrote an anonymous Chinese PhD student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison on RedNote on Thursday.
“The good days are over and a new round of hard times will begin for international students.”
‘It’s finally over:’ Brittany Zimmermann’s mom reflects on the death of her daughter’s killer
WKOW - Channel 27
The man charged with the death of a University of Wisconsin-Madison student died in prison Tuesday.
UW-Platteville shooting puts gun policies back in the spotlight
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The May 19 shootings that killed two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students put campus gun policies back in the spotlight about a decade after lawmakers considered a bill loosening restrictions.
UW-Platteville deaths being investigated as murder-suicide
Wisconsin State Journal
The residence hall deaths of two UW-Platteville students are being investigated as a murder-suicide, according to an update from campus police.
Officers were dispatched to a disturbance in Wilgus Hall, a student housing building, on Monday, where they found two people injured by gunfire.
UW-Platteville deaths being investigated as murder-suicide
Wisconsin Public Radio
The two deaths at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are being investigated as a murder-suicide, campus officials said.
University police responded to Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, Monday afternoon for reports of a disturbance.
Here’s what we know, and don’t know, about the shootings at UW-Platteville that left 2 students dead
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville female students died May 19 of gunshot wounds, the university announced May 20.
The university announced May 20 that Kelsie Martin, of Beloit, died from a gunshot wound, and Hallie Helms, of Baraboo, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Wilgus Hall, a dormitory.
Community still processing UW-Platteville shooting that left two students dead
Wisconsin Examiner
More details are emerging about a shooting at UW-Platteville Monday which left two students dead. In a statement released Tuesday, the university said the UW-Platteville Police Department had responded to a call at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, for a “disturbance.” When officers arrived, they found two individuals with gunshot wounds.
UW-Platteville students return to Wilgus Hall dorm after emergency incident
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
After an emergency incident at Wilgus Hall dormitory at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville that prompted a shelter-in-place order, people attend a church service at Rolling Hills Church, May 19, 2025 in Platteville, Wisconsin.
Two UW-Platteville female students, both 22, die in ‘targeted and isolated’ dorm incident
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students died in a residence hall incident that a school email describes as a “targeted and isolated” incident on May 19.
One year later: Pro-Palestinian protesters reflect on 2024 campus encampment
WKOW - Channel 27
Library Mall on UW-Madison’s campus looks much different than it did one year ago as pro-Palestinian protests were stationed there for nearly two weeks.
Protesters were demanding that UW disclose its investments and divest from companies that profit from the war in Gaza. They met with university leaders over the span of their encampment to reach an agreement.
‘What were you wearing?’ exhibit highlights UW sexual assault survivors
The Daily Cardinal
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) this April, five University of Wisconsin-Madison students partnered with University Health Services (UHS) to organize a ‘What Were You Wearing?’ art installation, an effort to challenge victim-blaming toward sexual assault survivors.
Madison police investigating attempted aggravated assault
The Daily Cardinal
A suspect attempted an aggravated assault with a weapon early Sunday morning in the pedestrian tunnel on East Campus Mall, prompting an ongoing investigation by the City of Madison Police Department.
UW-Madison hosts Denim Day event
Channel 3000
April 30th is known as Demin Day which is a day dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting victims by wearing denim.
Mifflin Street Block Party brings sunshine, good times before finals begin
Wisconsin State Journal
By the end of the day Saturday, 42 people were cited for offenses ranging from having open intoxicants to carrying glass in a glass-free zone to depositing human waste. Other arrests are still possible, police said.
‘One of the largest crowds we have seen’: Thousands descend on Mifflin Street for 56th annual block party
Daily Cardinal
University of Wisconsin-Madison students and out-of-town visitors flocked to Mifflin Street on Saturday for the event.
No citations for underage drinkers seeking help in Madison under new policy
Spectrum News
The policy also gives immunity to someone who’s a victim of a crime, such as sexual assault or violence.
There’s already a similar policy in place at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Another UW-Madison international student gets court protection from deportation
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A second University of Wisconsin-Madison student from overseas who had their visa revoked by the Trump administration has won a victory in the courts.
Madison Police policy would shield people from underage drinking tickets if they call for help in an emergency
Wisconsin Public Radio
The new procedures for city police mirror a policy that has already been adopted by University of Wisconsin-Madison Police.
Wisconsin’s name-change law raises safety risks for transgender people
Wisconsin Watch
This is less privacy than the legal system typically affords young people, confirmed Cary Bloodworth, who directs a family law clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Bloodworth said both child welfare and juvenile courts tend to keep records confidential for a number of reasons, including that what happens in a person’s youth will follow them for a lifetime.
“I certainly think having a higher level of privacy for kids is a good thing,” Bloodworth said, adding that she thinks the publication requirement is unnecessary for people of any age.
Letter to the Editor: Speech for me, but not for thee: How disruption has replaced campus dialogue
The Daily Cardinal
The disruption of Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield’s (’75 MPA) talk reveals a growing trend of selective free speech among pro-Palestinian activists.
Man arrested in UW Arboretum assault on UW-Madison student Anna Hansen 5 hrs ago
Wisconsin State Journal
A Madison man was arrested Friday after allegedly strangling a UW-Madison student in the UW Arboretum earlier in the week.
ACLU attorney raises concerns over terminated student visa
The Badger Herald
The recent visa record terminations of six University of Wisconsin students and seven alumni have caused concerns regarding international students.
The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Senior Staff Attorney Tim Muth says it is unclear what allowed the federal government to terminate these visas.
Update: UW-Madison discovers another 13 student visas have been canceled
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison has found 13 more international student visas canceled by President Donald Trump’s administration, bringing the total number up to 40 announced across the Universities of Wisconsin this week.
Madison man accused of strangling person at UW Arboretum
WMTV - Channel 15
UW-Madison Police Department arrested a man after a person reported being strangled last week in the UW Arboretum.
An aggravated assault was reported to UWPD the morning of Monday, March 31, explained UWPD. The victim reported being strangled and forced to wait in a vehicle during the attack.
Everyone deserves access to a basic legal education
The Daily Cardinal
Whether or not you plan on heading to law school or end up with an “incarceration, conviction or arrest record” like one in every three American adults, you interact with the law every day. You deserve to have a basic understanding of it.
Faculty Senate condemns police violence against last spring’s encampment, calls for restoration of shared governance involvement
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Faculty Senate condemned the police violence against protesters at last May’s pro-Palestine encampment during a packed meeting Monday, with proponents arguing the demonstration was non-violent and the police disproportionately harmed students and faculty of color.
UW international students and alumni face visa cancellations
Channel 3000
Several international students and alumni from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have had their visas canceled from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the university said in a statement Monday.
13 UW-Madison visas terminated by U.S. government, Mnookin says it’s not tied to ‘protest activity’
The Daily Cardinal
The United States government terminated six University of Wisconsin-Madison student visas and seven alumni visa employment extensions, the university announced in a statement Monday.
Several UW-Madison students, alumni have visas terminated by U.S. government
WMTV - Channel 15
Six University of Wisconsin–Madison students had their visas terminated by the U.S. government, the university announced Monday.
In addition, seven alumni on employment extensions were also affected. A terminated visa status requires the individual to leave the United States immediately.
International students at UW-Madison have visas terminated amid nationwide crackdown at colleges
Spectrum News
A handful of international students and alumni staff at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have had their visas terminated, according to the university.
Deported over a speeding ticket? Dozens of US students’ visas abruptly revoked
The Guardian
Lisa is an international student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, just one month away from graduation. She asked to use a pseudonym due to concerns about retaliation and an ongoing legal case. She is one of several students across states who found their legal status revoked by the US government on 4 April, without prior notice or clear explanation. University statements show that at least 39 students have been affected, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, Stanford, Ohio State, the University of Tennessee, the University of Kentucky, Minnesota State University and the University of Oregon.
Three detained at UW-Madison event Tuesday night, one arrested in unrelated incident
Channel 3000
Three people were detained and one person was arrested in an unrelated incident on UW-Madison’s campus Tuesday night.
Driver of Tesla Cybertruck drives onto UW-Madison mall, arrested on election day
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The driver of a Tesla Cybertruck drove onto Library Mall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus Tuesday night, before the 31-year-old driver was arrested for disorderly conduct and the vehicle towed away.
Individual arrested after driving Cybertruck across Library Mall, shattering glass objects
The Badger Herald
At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday evening, an individual who was identified as male was seen proclaiming he was voting for Wisconsin Supreme Court conservative candidate Brad Schimel and encouraging others to do so in front of the University Club, according to College Democrats volunteer Thomas Erwin, who was volunteering on Library Mall at the time.
Cybertruck drives onto Library Mall on Wisconsin Supreme Court election night
The Daily Cardinal
A Tesla Cybertruck drove onto Library Mall Tuesday evening near at least two student polling stations, about thirty minutes before polls closed, according to a police dispatch call.
Man drives Cybertruck onto Library Mall at UW-Madison, yells ‘free weed’
Wisconsin State Journal
A 31-year-old man from Stevens Point was arrested Tuesday night after driving his Tesla Cybertruck onto Library Mall on Election Day
Disruptions at UW-Madison events lead to an arrest, three others detained
WKOW - Channel 27
Three people were detained after disrupting a planned, authorized and ticketed public event on UW-Madison’s campus.
Suspect arrested after WiscAlerts sent to students about individual with a knife early Monday morning
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) issued multiple WiscAlerts to students early Monday morning notifying students and staff about reports of a man who brandished a knife at a victim on 105 East Campus Mall.
Aggravated assault reported at UW Arboretum Monday morning, police investigating
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is actively investigating an aggravated assault that occurred early Monday morning in the UW Arboretum.
Man arrested after incident involving knife near East Campus Mall
WKOW - Channel 27
The UW-Madison Police Department announced an arrest Monday morning after people were asked to avoid the area around East Campus Mall for reports of a man with a knife.
Police searching for man with knife near East Campus Mall
WKOW - Channel 27
People are being asked to avoid the area around East Campus Mall after a man was reported to have a knife. At 11:59 p.m. Sunday, University of Wisconsin-Madison sent out a WiscAlert that the suspect was in the area of 105 East Campus Mall.
New UW-Madison police chief discusses ICE, pro-Palestinian encampment
The Capital Times
After nearly 20 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brent Plisch officially became the new leader of campus police Sunday.
Plisch temporarily led the department after Kristen Roman resigned last year amid an investigation into her conduct as chief. Plisch then competed against a handful of outside candidates to fill the permanent position.
Release of Brady lists to 15 Investigates sparks debate between law enforcement over what it means to be on one
WMTV - Channel 15
15 Investigates found Jenks is one of 25 names listed on Dane County’s Brady list. Out of those officers, four are still employed with agencies in Dane County. University of Wisconsin Police Detective Sergeant Peter Grimyser is one of them.
MPD shares update on State Street stabbing
WMTV - Channel 15
The Madison Police Department is investigating a stabbing in the city’s downtown area just before 2 p.m. on Saturday. University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department sent out an alert through the BadgerSAFE app telling students to avoid the area.